Check-protector.



PATENTED JULY 17, v19-06.

8. I. ATWATER. CHECK PROTECTOR. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

Application filed May 31,1904. Serial No. 210.544.

T0 (all/107mm it may conic/arm Be it known that I, SILAS I. ATWATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Xew York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Check Protectors, of which the following is a spccifica tion.

The present invention relates to improvements in check protectors or devices by means of which the alteration of bank checks or drafts may be prevented.

The device consists, essentially, of two members or sections, which are normally forced apart or held separated by a yielding or spring connection and each of which is provided on its inner face with means for indenting a check placed between said jaw-like members when the latter are forced together or closed thereon. i

It may be made in various forms and, as shown in the acc-oni )auying drawings, adapts ed for other uses t an that for which it is primarily designed.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the outer covering being re moved to expose one of the indenting-plates' Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, in theseveral figures of which like reference characters desig'nate corresponding parts, the device will be seen to comprise two jaw-like members or sections, which are connected at one end by. means that act to normally hold said mem bers apart, so that a check may be readily inserted between them.

To the'inner face of each jaw is secured a plate 1, provided with a serrated or roughened face, said plates acting to indent a check placed between them when the jaws are compressed or forced inwardly, as by'pressure of the users hand. Preferably the body of each jaw consists of a relatively thin metal strip 2, to which the plates 1 are attached, and an outer covering-piece 3. The strips 2 are of greater length than the cover-pieces 3 and are suitably connected to hold the jaws .in separated or open position and to restore them to such position after they are relieved of the pressure applied when using the device. As shown, cach ofsaid strips 2 is curved or bent. as at 4. between the point of connection of said strips'and the adjacent ends of the cover-pieces 3. If desired, one of said strips 2 may be of such length and form as to provide a relatively long slender blade- 5, constituting a paper-cutter for which the jaw-like members of thc check-protector provide a handle. Such blade may, however, be omitted, and the device will then be of such size as to be readily carried in the pocket.

in using the device the portion of a check bearing the figures indicating the amount for which the check is drawn is inserted between the jaws and said jaws comprcsscd or forced inwardly to grip the check. the roughened plates 1 producing a series of indentations in the portion of the check between them, thus mendering alteration of the figures appearing on thatportion impossible.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Lettcrs Patent, is

1. An article for the purpose described comprising two yielding plates connected together and bent or curved in opposite directions adjacent their point. of conncc-tion, and supplemental plates secured to the inner faces of the first said plates and having opposing roughcncd surfaces.

'2. An article for the purpose described comprising two metal plates connected together and each having an intermediate curved section. said curved sections extend-- ing in opposite directions, supplemental plates secured to the inner faces of the first said plates and having opposing roughcncd surfaces, and a cover-piece 13 secured to the outer face of each of thc first said plates. said main plates and cover-pieces projecting beyond the supplemental plates at all points.

in tcstimouy whereof I have signed my name to this spcciliculion in the presence of two subscribing witncsscs.

'l l AS I. XIWATER. 'itncsscs:

(Anna hl'ltHAXh, A. b. llorm-zn. 

